OTs rise, and it's about supply and demand. It's basic economics. There may not be a Jake Long or two guys like last year, but there is going to be good value for the Cowboys at 9 when all those players start blending together. The Cowboys, Lions, Giants, Eagles, and Colts all need OTs, and there is some good quality and some upside in this draft, especially with Smith's upside. Sherrod has good upside, too.
Smith, Sherrod, Carimi, Costonzo, and Solder are going in round 1. That is 5. If Dallas picks one at 9, teams are going to be worried. If Detroit picks one at 13, it's on. The Eagles and Colts may look to move up to get the guy that they want, imo. If you trade back into the teens, the Eagles or Colts could jump you and take your player.
Teams will view and rate them differently, and I think before the process is all said and done, Smith and Sherrod are going to rate very good when the vertical and horizontal analysis occurs occurs with the Cowboys. Both of those players have a legit shot at 9 if the board goes like it's supposed to go. I think Sherrod will rate 1 or 2 on Dallas' vertical draft board that includes all the OTs in the draft.
Like I stated in another thread, when you draft Smith or Sherrod, you are making a significant deposit into the bank accounts of Romo, Witten, Austin, Bryant, and Felix Jones. You are immediately replacing the weakest player in an already too old and rapidly fading offensive line, and you are drafting your future LT, imo. You are making that deposit into the strength of your team, the offensive skill players.
You are not only drafting a very young, strong, and athletic OT, you are investing in your offensive skill players and putting them in a stronger position to be successful.
Dareus sliding out of the top 10 is interesting, and I still think that Dallas would take him over Jordan, "right" or "wrong".
In that mock draft, Dareus would present the strongest horizontal and vertical challenge at DE to Smith or Sherrod, imo. Sherrod stoned Dareus in their game this year, from what I saw. Smith has been called the only guy to block Jordan all year. I like my chances, but the defensive line needs help, too. Dareus or Jordan would get to challenge Igor Olshansky, Ratliff, and three free agents.
I learned that vertical/horizontal stuff from Vela. Have to give him credit.
The Cowboys will not take Miller, Quinn, Juilio Jones, Amukamara, or Harris after the vertical and horizontal analysis is complete, I predict. Smith and Sherrod face Free and Colombo, and I really like that match-up.
Those CBs have to run 4.3s to have a chance against Newman and Jenkins, and this is a deep CB draft. Harris is said to be a 4.45 guy, but he would challenge Jenkins immediately (one of your most talented players on defense) and wouldn't be able to supplant Newman in 2011 (IMO), unless you release Newman. Does that make you better? No.
Miller VS Ware
Quinn VS Spencer
Jones VS Bryant
Not good vertical match-ups for those players, especially when you consider the question marks for both Quinn and Miller and a position change for Quinn. OLB is a strength on the defense. Quinn has character concerns and a serious past medical history.
Harris would have a better chance of matching up with Newman or Jenkins, not Amukamara, imo. I think that Harris has to run a 4.3 to get in a position to compete horizontally with Smith, Sherrod, Dareus, or Jordan.
Terence Newman is still a really good player. Rob Ryan stated that. Newman has plenty of fight left in him and will not go quietly. He will allow you to address the mess up front, on that offensive line. Newman is going to buy you some time.
The Packers were playing with 2 CBs in the Super Bowl that were not even drafted. I wouldn't suggest making a living that way at that position, but a third round CB could develop and contribute in year one.
if our draft went EXACTLY like that: specifically the first 4 picks. I want Carimi the more I see of him. I like Young, because Roy Williams should and more than likely will be cut.
